Do you know that when people, plants and animals are light deficient, they are pallid? Of course there may be exceptions, but plants,animal and man depend on light, specifically the sun, to sustain life.. The tropical island, New Providence where I was born, is a tourist haven. Tourists flock to the Bahamas for sun, sea, sand, friendship, food and frolic. Many visitors bask on beaches with crystal clean , tantalizing ocean nearby. Afterwards, some dine on native food, often sampling tasty local fruits. People are charmed by the charismatic sun!

Throughout the ages, people have looked to the sun as a heat and light source. Although the Bahamas has a high percentage (at least 98%) of sunny days, the islands are a victim of tropical storms. June to November is the hurricane season. When turbulent seas toss boats like frisbees and gale force winds angrily yank trees by their roots, felling them, there is still SONshine. The clouds may hide the sun; but the LORD is a sun and shield. He will not withhold His goodness from the righteous.

Recently, in February 2002, I purchased an electronic Whirlpool stove. Now, Whirlpool is known for quality. A few days after the stove was installed, the technician returned to adjust the flame. The low setting was too high! Even after the flame was lowered, it was too high. Any adjustment to the flame during cooking must be done manually. But, there was a greater problem. The stove was noisy; and sometimes, especially on rainy days, it had no spark! I discovered this one weekend when my brother went out and I had to use the stove. Technicians have visited; and in spite of their logic and assistance, the fact remains that the stove experiences moodiness!

That stove is like some people. God has given His light, His ignitor; but on rainy days when the enemy comes in like a flood or if there is some calamity or dilemma on a sunny day, they lose their spark. Of course, all is not lost.. A match or lighter can activate the stove... light the burner as it uses gas. One reason why I purchased the stove was because I did not want to depend on matches. The faulty ignitor makes an analogy evident.

God has created each person as a light source. He commands: Let your light so shine... This would not be valid if a person did not possess or had access to light. Whenever, there is darkness or no spark, lighting the match of encouragement, kind words, gentleness, patience, joy, love... can be used to create a spark. Only the Sun of Righteousness has healing for every situation; circumstance or dilemma. Of course, there are times when not even a match can be found! What do you do? God will tell you!

After my sister died, God sent me somewhere that placed me in a seat nearby two elderly ladies. These ladies of the Word wondered what I was writing. As Editor/ writer for The SONshine Newsletter, I travelled regularly with lots of paper, pens and my trusty Sword. They engaged me in conversation and I heard two powerful testimonies.

One testimony related a physical healing experience. I know about and believe in physical healing. Sometimes God uses doctors; and sometimes He heals a person without their assistance. During the next testimony, a lady related a heartrending experience. The son who died was the 'best' child according to the supporting information; and coping with the loss was difficult. Then the Holy Spirit directed one of His children to her and instructed her to read Psalms 91. Immediately, I was quickened because I remembered when that psalm helped me in a bizarre situation. After this believer was more mature and saturated with that Scripture, God promoted her to Psalms 103.

God healed my hurt that day. Before my sister died, she, her twin and I organized a group called The Prayer Connection. We were serious about praise, prayer,peace and power. Her favourite song was God Will Take Care Of You. God had used the light in those women to scatter the darkness and gloom of death and bring me SONshine. While she was speaking to me, God healed the memory of her deceased son; and she declared that she was healed as soon as it was evident.

I thought that the experience was an isolated one. When a friend asked me to speak with one of her friends whose mother had died recently, I was not confident about what to say. Besides, I am not a telephone person. One morning, the telephone lines got tangled and the person called at the precise time. I asked God for guidance; and He directed me to the Lamp. After trying many Scripture texts, I directed my newly found friend to Psalms 103.. Not only did reading and discussing it dry her tears, she was able to pray aloud. For her, praying aloud was an achievement for many reasons. By the time our conversation ended, she was rejoicing in the Lord. At her mother's funeral, Psalms 103 was included as a Scripture Reading.

God has created man to win.

There is an assured victory over sin

When man shares the SONshine that dwells within.

Keep your spark! Keep your spark! Keep your spark!